Sleeve insert for a portable cooler

ABSTRACT

A insert for a portable cooler containing ice in which the insert is preferably cylindrical and wherein the insert acts as a protective sleeve for a container, such as a bottle, within the cooler so as to prevent ice redistribution when the bottle is removed and then returned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an insert used in a portable cooler having ice for easy storage and access to beverages.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Portable coolers are well known as insulated boxes which keep food and beverages cold for storage, transport and use in various locations. Most coolers are constructed with a polyurethane inner layer and a polypropylene outer layer which together provide insulation while keeping the box lightweight for easy transport.

Often the coolers are filled with ice or other frozen products in order to keep the beverages colder for longer, with the beverages packed within the ice. However, when a beverage such as a wine bottle is removed from the ice, the ice naturally moves and falls into the gap created and it can be difficult for the user to then replace the bottle without digging or pushing into the ice to re-create space. Through prolonged use of the cooler it is common for the beverages to no longer fit as well into the ice due to this redistribution, and can require the user to spend time rearranging the entire cooler's contents. This can be uncomfortable as it requires direct contact with freezing cold ice.

Storage of wine or other beverages can also be difficult if the bottle does not have a screw cap, for example wine that was sealed with a cork. The user must be careful to replace the bottle back into the cooler in an upright position so the liquid does not spill, and often the re-created space is inadequate for this purpose.

In known products the beverages are often packed tightly within the ice, and consequently when the user removed the bottle ice often sticks to the surface which the user must then remove.

The object of this invention is to provide a sleeve insert for a portable cooler that alleviates the above problems, or at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention comprises an insert for a portable cooler comprising a sleeve wherein a beverage container can be inserted and removed from the sleeve without disturbing the ice distribution.

It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembled sleeve insert;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insert in an exploded view;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sheet comprising the body of the insert;

FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the rolling of the sheet;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a rolled sheet; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the insert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

Turning now to the drawings there is illustrated an insert 10 which is a preferred embodiment of the invention. The insert 10 comprises a sheet 12 of material, preferably polypropylene of 0.8 mm thickness, which is cut and rolled to form the cylindrical sleeve and then capped at each open end with a cap 14 in the shape of a ring which holds the shape of the cylinder. The insert is of a dimension to provide for a cavity 16 that is adapted to accommodate a bottle (not shown).

The sleeve is designed to be flat packed with each of the components separate to allow for easy storage, transport and sale. Accordingly, the user need only unpack the sheet 12, roll it into a cylinder and attach the caps 14 at each end to assemble as shown in FIG. 1. The caps 14 are designed to lock onto the cylinder to prevent further disassembly after first use, or alternatively the caps can be removable to allow for user assembly and disassembly as desired.

The sheet 12 includes a tab 18 that engages slit 20, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The caps 14 include a skirt 22 having a circumferential slit 24 that engages the edges of the sheet to keep the sleeve in a cylindrical configuration and as shown in FIG. 6.

In some cases apertures 26 may be located along the longitudinal edges of the sheet 12 and may be used to allow for cable ties to firmly keep the sleeve in a cylindrical shape

Once assembled, the user places the insert 10 within the portable cooler and places the beverage, for example a wine bottle, within the insert to be held in place. Ice can then be placed into the cooler but rather than the ice being packed directly against the bottle it is packed around the insert 10 and the beverage is kept cold by the ice.

The insert allows the user to easily locate and remove the bottle from the insert without “digging” through the ice as is often required when the ice is packed directly around the beverages. This also prevents the ice from attaching itself to the bottle which can cause annoyance to the user who must them brush it off, and also prevents the ice melting directly on the bottle so that any labels do not become wet, unsightly or peel off.

Although not illustrated the sheet may include holes to accommodate for air flow into the cylinder.

Once the user has poured their drink, they can easily return the bottle to the cooler by slipping it inside the insert 10, again without needing to dig through the ice to re-create a space which can be annoying and uncomfortable for the user. This also avoids bottles being lain on their sides of at an angle where they are no longer packed in ice and therefore do not remain as cold as other beverages within the cooler. It is also common for users to store wine such as champagne or sparkling in a cooler, where they must be very careful once the cork is removed to prevent the remaining liquid from spilling into the cooler. The insert 10 eliminates these problems as it keeps the bottle upright and secure preventing shaking or spilling of the contents, as well as keeping it cold within the packed ice.

The reader will now appreciate the present invention which is an insert for a portable cooler which acts as a sleeve for a beverage contained such as a wine bottle, allowing the said bottle to be easily accessed and returned to cooler without disturbing the ice distribution.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. 

1. An insert for use in a container containing ice the insert comprising: a sheet adapted to be rolled into a cylinder to thereby define a cavity to accommodate a bottle or can; a cap having a skirt with an internal slit to engage an end of the cylinder to assist in maintaining the cylindrical shape.
 2. An insert as in claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a tab at one edge adapted to engage an aperture at the opposite edge.
 3. An insert as in claim 1 further including a second cap to engage the opposite end of the cylinder.
 4. An insert as in claim 1 wherein the sheet is made from polypropylene.
 5. An insert as in claim 1 wherein the sleeve includes a plurality of apertures to allow for air flow. 